Taking one’s filming skills to a new level has become easy with the new Sony FX30 digital cinema camera. It’s a 4K Super 35 compact cinema camera that offers many professional features of the Cinema Line, such as Dual Base ISO, Log shooting modes and user imported LUTs at an appealing price point. The camera is available in two variants — FX30 (body + XLR handle; Rs 199,990) and FX30B (body only; Rs 179,990). We emailed Mukesh Srivastava, head of digital imaging business, Sony India, and here’s what he has to say
Mukesh Srivastava, head of digital imaging business, Sony India
Should one look at FX30 as a camera for independent filmmakers or would it be more for vloggers and those who make short films?
FX30 has been launched to give more creative freedom to people who like to experiment with new forms of video creation. This camera will find its spot in the master kit of a YouTuber, media representative, professional content creators and those who would like to create independent films. The bloom of content creators has put everyone in the pursuit of shooting better quality and more realistic videos. It is now quality over everything else. Filmmaking has come to a solo stage of production where creators are shooting run and gun, for which they need lightweight cameras which are easy to carry and not a burden. Creators who start with the FX30 will easily advance through the Cinema Line as their skills grow, and the FX30 will continue to work effectively alongside high-end Cinema Line options like FX6, FX9 and digital cinema camera Venice.
Does the camera allow one to shoot RAW video?
For an ever-demanding postproduction workflow, 16-bit RAW output is available over an HDMI connection, which is compatible with external recorders. XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K or XAVC S-I 4K, and proxy files are simultaneously captured in-camera. RAW video output is 4672 x 2628 [16:9] resolution, exceeding DCI-4K resolution.
There is something called Cine EI mode. How does it help?
Cine EI mode is designed to allow one to get the very best image quality with the greatest dynamic range from the camera. In FX30, Sony has introduced three new Log shooting modes for recording with the SLog3 gamma curve. Cine EI, used in Sony’s high-end Cinema Line models, offers wide latitude and the highest possible image quality. Cine EI Quick simplifies set-up by automatically switching the camera’s base ISO according to the selected Exposure Index (EI). Flexible ISO provides the greatest flexibility for exposure settings. In addition, Sony’s s709 has been added to the available LUT pre-sets. With the use of Cine EI mode, filmmakers have the option to underexpose or over-expose an image and compensate by lowering or raising the EI setting accordingly.